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Make It Easy:  Making sewing patterns last longer  |
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2Ewenique
Farmgirl in Training
16 Posts
Cheryl
Peebles
OH
USA
16 Posts |
 Posted - Dec 31 2006 : 05:51:30 AM
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I do a lot of sewing in my home. Ever get those multi-sized patterns and wonder how to make a size small and a size large?
I copy my patterns (just for my own use, of course). I use tissue paper, the type you use in gift boxes/bags at Christmas. I often buy it up after the holidays when it is marked down 75%. Tape pieces together with scotch tape if you need larger pieces. Then I simply lay the original underneath and trace onto the tissue paper. This way I never cut the original pattern.
For years I cut the originals and they are often very expensive to buy. I have saved myself tons of money doing it this way. After I copy the pattern, I put it in a plastic baggy and mark what pattern it is and the size. Works great!!
I even do this for patterns I use frequently. I make a lot of purses/totes. I simply copy the patterns and then the original stays in good shape.
Hope this saves some of you some money, too!
Cheryl
http://www.2ewenique.com
http://www.2ewenique.com
"Our Designs Are Just Too Unique" |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Dec 31 2006 : 06:58:01 AM
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Cheryl- You are one smart cookie!! I finally figured out that I could get much more use out of patterns if I traced them as well. Honestly- sometimes I think my brain just sticks in some sort of foggy place!!
Karin |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
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DaisyFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
1646 Posts
Diane
Victoria
BC
Canada
1646 Posts |
Posted - Dec 31 2006 : 10:12:09 AM
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I use newsprint too. Our local newspaper sells rollends for a couple of dollars and they last forever! I copy the sizes I need with carbon paper, cut them out and use them. When I'm done, the original pattern and copied sizes go into a large ziploc bag.
Di |
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babs
True Blue Farmgirl
226 Posts
Babette
MN
USA
226 Posts |
Posted - Dec 31 2006 : 10:23:00 AM
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Heres a tip... don't leave them on the table! }:(
I just ruined mine.
uber grumpy Babs |
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Beemoosie
True Blue Farmgirl
2077 Posts
Bonnie
New York
USA
2077 Posts |
Posted - Dec 31 2006 : 10:26:26 AM
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My grandmother bought me a big roll of tissue paper for Christmas; she had quite a chuckle trying to get me to guess what it was! Even after opening it she had to explain to me that it was for copying patterns so I can keep the originals! 
O, Come let us adore HIM! www.beequilting.blogspot.com |
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ArmyWifey
True Blue Farmgirl
712 Posts
Holly
Abilene
KS
712 Posts |
Posted - Dec 31 2006 : 2:44:14 PM
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You can also buy swiss tracing paper from Clotilde's or other notion places. It's thicker and lasts longer than the tissue paper.
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!
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2Ewenique
Farmgirl in Training
16 Posts
Cheryl
Peebles
OH
USA
16 Posts |
Posted - Dec 31 2006 : 5:07:29 PM
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Newsprint? Huh...what a wonderful idea! See, I have learned something new, too...lol! I will have to call the local paper and see what I can come up with.
Thanks everyone!
http://www.2ewenique.com
"Our Designs Are Just Too Unique" |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
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suzyhomemaker
True Blue Farmgirl
806 Posts
Clare
Tyler Hill
PA
USA
806 Posts |
Posted - Jan 01 2007 : 4:15:15 PM
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I use tracing paper from an art supply store. A 24" roll cost around 10-15 bucks, but it lasted me years. I am just now on my second roll. It holds up longer than tissue paper. Tip passed on to me from my brother who graduated from fashion school.
Country girl in NE PA |
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2Ewenique
Farmgirl in Training
16 Posts
Cheryl
Peebles
OH
USA
16 Posts |
Posted - Jan 01 2007 : 4:27:23 PM
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Boy, I thought I was telling you all some great idea! So, as I sit here going "duh" ...lol ...I am taking notes of all your wonderful ideas!!!!
Well, I will just have to put on my thinking cap and share another idea of something I do that y'all don't know about ..hehe!!! Surely after 50 years I should have something?????
Thanks for sharing all your wonderful ideas back with me!! I will be doing something else besides taping tissue paper together from now on!!!
Cheryl
http://www.2ewenique.com
http://www.2ewenique.com
"Our Designs Are Just Too Unique" |
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pinkroses
True Blue Farmgirl
2350 Posts
Sheila
Virginia
USA
2350 Posts |
Posted - Jan 06 2007 : 3:26:59 PM
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I use the stuff that they have in JoAnn's to save my patterns. It is almost like the stuff you put in your collars.
For the life of me I can't figure out the name of it. Ha.
But, I am sure you know what I am taking about
There is a skirt and apron patterrn I make over and over.
it saves the main pattern. pinkroses |
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DaisyFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
1646 Posts
Diane
Victoria
BC
Canada
1646 Posts |
Posted - Jan 06 2007 : 6:08:12 PM
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I thought your idea was excellent Cheryl, particular since it involves recycling which I am big on. The only problem for me is that I use and re-use patterns and I just know I'd wreck anything as fragile as tissue paper in no time!
Di |
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sewgirlie
True Blue Farmgirl
1894 Posts
Sheryl-lyn
Calverton
NY
USA
1894 Posts |
Posted - Feb 10 2007 : 12:19:29 PM
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| I put my patterns that will be reused over and again through a laminator. It costs about 2 dollars at Staples or a school supply store. This way I can use it a million times and if I spill something or make a mark on it, it washes off. |
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2Ewenique
Farmgirl in Training
16 Posts
Cheryl
Peebles
OH
USA
16 Posts |
Posted - Feb 10 2007 : 2:18:47 PM
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Another excellent idea! As expensive as patterns can be, another $2 certainly isn't a big expense! My only problem is I'm out in the middle of "no-where" with nothing like a Staples around.
Can they really laminate the really large pieces? I have laminated some of my small craft patterns, I have one of those small desktop laminators, but some of the clothing pattern pieces are way too large.
http://www.2ewenique.com
"Our Designs Are Just Too Unique" |
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Kim
True Blue Farmgirl
146 Posts
Kim
Pflugerville
Texas
USA
146 Posts |
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2Ewenique
Farmgirl in Training
16 Posts
Cheryl
Peebles
OH
USA
16 Posts |
Posted - Feb 10 2007 : 5:13:42 PM
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Kim... do you know where she finds it?
http://www.2ewenique.com
"Our Designs Are Just Too Unique" |
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2Ewenique
Farmgirl in Training
16 Posts
Cheryl
Peebles
OH
USA
16 Posts |
Posted - Feb 10 2007 : 5:14:55 PM
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Kim...do you know where she finds this plastic-y stuff?
http://www.2ewenique.com
"Our Designs Are Just Too Unique" |
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Kim
True Blue Farmgirl
146 Posts
Kim
Pflugerville
Texas
USA
146 Posts |
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Aunt George
True Blue Farmgirl
1476 Posts
Georgann
Midlothian
VA
1476 Posts |
Posted - Feb 10 2007 : 5:23:15 PM
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I have a friend who irons it to inexpensive interfacing after tracing the sizes. Haven't tried it yet, but she swears it works.
http://auntgeorgeshouse.blogspot.com/index.html
Thanks for checking out my apron and sewing musings! |
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Kim
True Blue Farmgirl
146 Posts
Kim
Pflugerville
Texas
USA
146 Posts |
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2Ewenique
Farmgirl in Training
16 Posts
Cheryl
Peebles
OH
USA
16 Posts |
Posted - Feb 15 2007 : 03:55:12 AM
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Thanks so much, Kim. Sorry for the double post asking about it. I wasn't being impatient, it was one of those internet things and I thought it didn't go through, so I posted again ... lo and behold, it did and made me look silly ...lol
I'll have to look into this stuff, I have some people wanting me to make naturalist shirts for them and will probably be using their patterns many times. This will come in very handy for that!
http://www.2ewenique.com
"Our Designs Are Just Too Unique" |
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Kim
True Blue Farmgirl
146 Posts
Kim
Pflugerville
Texas
USA
146 Posts |
Posted - Feb 15 2007 : 04:21:46 AM
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No, problem! The computer can be so wonky at time! lol! My friend uses it for her quilt patterns so the edges don't get soft. She said she just got rid of some while doing some cleaning, bummer! But it should be easy to find. ANd it sounds exactly like what you need!
Blessed Be!
farmgirl@heart
Be at peace with yourself and the rest will follow
http://chevy49girl.livejournal.com/
http://chevy49girl.deviantart.com/ |
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Jeanna
True Blue Farmgirl
267 Posts
Jeanna
Franklin
NC
USA
267 Posts |
Posted - Mar 30 2007 : 8:15:34 PM
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I actually use the paper they put on dr's tables. I went to a yard sale and a lady who does some colon cleansing and such at her home had bought it for her table and did not like it. She sold it to me for $1 a roll. I wish I had bought all she had.
If both of our troubles were hung on a line--You would take yours and I would take mine. |
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2Ewenique
Farmgirl in Training
16 Posts
Cheryl
Peebles
OH
USA
16 Posts |
Posted - Mar 31 2007 : 01:07:58 AM
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I found a supplier online for the interface-like stuff. I love it. It came in a big roll like wrapping paper and looks like it will last quite a while. I have already copied several and drafted a couple of patterns on it and still have a lot left. Can't beat that for less then $10!
Thanks everyone for your input
This is certainly a lot easier and more sturdy then the method I was using.
Hmmm....now if I can just remember where I bought it when I need to order more ....LOL!!!
Cheryl
http://www.2ewenique.com
http://www.2ewenique.com
"Our Designs Are Just Too Unique" |
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BotanicalBath
True Blue Farmgirl
1014 Posts
Elizabeth
Ohio
1014 Posts |
Posted - May 05 2007 : 11:14:35 PM
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I use a large roll of craft paper used for shipping. When I am drafting historical patterns, I will tape a picture of the painting to it and cover it with clear packing tape. I also note when I drafted this and any other notes. It help me keep everything in one spot.
ETA: My high school sewing teacher told us to iron them on to fusible interfacing... I think this would get pricey compared to a roll of craft paper. For super exact fitting, you could always do it on muslin.
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Edited by - BotanicalBath on May 05 2007 11:18:14 PM |
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Make It Easy: Making sewing patterns last longer |
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Making sewing patterns last longer
